As the UK has been placed into tiered restrictions, non-essential shops are beginning to re-open, but one shop that will not open again is the Rwanda charity shop in Syke Street, Preston.

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The shop had to close permanently due to coronavirus restrictions.

It was run by a small local charity, the Rwanda Group Trust, and their aim was to raise funds for the poorest people in Rwanda.

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The charity had been raising money successfully for the past 20 years.

However, many of the volunteers at the shop were elderly, vulnerable, or shielding, hence the shops closure.

The charity is still raising funds and is dedicated to giving assistance to Rwanda.

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It has recently begun to promote a fundraising initiative to sell goats as Christmas presents, and a donation of £30 will buy a goat for a family in rural Rwanda.

Goats are very highly valued in Rwanda, and are extremely cheap to keep as they eat most things, provide protein rich milk and other dairy products, can be used for breeding and at the end of their lives provide meat.

The skins are then made into various products for village use.

The Rwanda Group Trust are asking people to consider buying a goat as a Christmas present for friends or family.

The Rwandan family will then be given a handmade Christmas card which will tell them a goat has been purchased on their behalf.

For more information, email The Rwanda Group Trust.

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